There was a collective intake of breath as the villagers tried to decide what to do. As if to fuel the flames, Beatrice started weeping quietly behind the cloth.
Ardyn really did have to hand it to her. Maybe she worked part-time as an actress? If that were true, he would believe it without a doubt.
"One of you go and get Cliff over here!" someone whispered urgently. "We don't have a choice. We can't risk Beatrice's life for some bounty!"
"And tell him that Beatrice is in danger and that he needs to do something about this!"
"This man is crazy! Tell him that he should be careful!"
"Oh, may the Spirits save us!"
"Goodness me… I have never heard Beatrice like this before… I cannot even imagine what might be going on inside that room…!"
A silent gasp of relief escaped his lips as he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps racing down the staircase.
This was it. He could finally get on with the next phase of the plan!
